Salim Baabde elected Chairman of oil marketers’ association as sector grapples with regulatory changes, infrastructure expansion and energy transition pressures
By Mwanamkasi Jumbe
Tanzania’s petroleum industry has ushered in a new leadership chapter after Mr. Salim Baabde, Director of Amsons Group, was elected Chairman of the Tanzania Association of Oil Marketing Companies (TAOMAC) for the 2026–2028 term.
Mr. Baabde (pictured above) was elected during the association’s 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam, where members representing more than 97 percent of Tanzania’s petroleum import market gathered to chart the future direction of one of the country’s most strategic industries.
The AGM also elected Mr. Imani Mtafya, Managing Director of Oryx Energies Tanzania, as Vice Chairman of the association for the next two years.
The leadership transition comes at a critical time for Tanzania’s oil marketing sector, which is navigating a rapidly changing operating environment characterised by global energy market volatility, evolving fuel import systems, infrastructure investments, growing domestic demand and increasing regulatory oversight.
According to TAOMAC Executive Director and Board Secretary, Mr. Raphael Mgaya, the newly elected leadership inherits responsibility for guiding the industry through what he described as one of the most challenging periods in its history.
“This election comes at a time when the industry is facing unprecedented challenges. The new Board of Governors is expected to steer the organisation through one of the most turbulent periods the sector has experienced,” Mr. Mgaya said.
Strategic industry at the heart of the economy
The petroleum sector remains one of Tanzania’s most important economic pillars, supporting transportation, manufacturing, mining, agriculture and power generation.
According to industry estimates, Tanzania imports billions of litres of petroleum products annually, making fuel one of the country’s largest import categories and a critical driver of economic activity.
Oil marketing companies play a central role in ensuring reliable fuel supplies across the country through extensive investments in storage facilities, logistics networks, distribution infrastructure and retail outlets.
In recent years, the industry has undergone significant reforms, including the adoption of the Bulk Procurement System (BPS), expansion of petroleum storage capacity and efforts to improve fuel supply security amid global market disruptions triggered by geopolitical tensions and supply chain challenges.
Industry players have also been closely involved in discussions surrounding the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), natural gas development projects and Tanzania’s broader energy transition agenda.
Experienced leadership takes charge
Both Mr. Baabde and Mr. Mtafya are well-known figures within Tanzania’s petroleum industry and have previously served on TAOMAC’s outgoing Board of Governors.
Mr. Baabde has also served as Vice Chairman of the association in the past, giving him extensive experience in navigating industry policy issues and stakeholder engagement.
His election is seen by many industry observers as a vote of confidence in his ability to build consensus among multinational, regional and local fuel operators at a time when collaboration between regulators and industry players is becoming increasingly important.
He succeeds Mr. Mamadou Ngom, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Tanzania, who served as Chairman, while the outgoing Vice Chairman position was held by Mr. Mohamed Mohamed, Managing Director of Tanzania International Petroleum Reserves Limited (TIPER).
Both outgoing leaders had earlier informed members of their intention to step down despite calls for them to continue serving.
However, they pledged their full support to the incoming leadership team.
Diverse board reflects industry structure
The AGM also elected a ten-member Board of Governors representing a broad cross-section of Tanzania’s petroleum industry.
The newly elected board comprises representatives from TotalEnergies, Oryx Energies, Camel Oil, GM & Company, GBP Tanzania, Mansoor Industries Limited (MOIL), Petroafrica Tanzania, Vivo Energy, Puma Energy and Augusta Energy.
Three companies joined the board as new members: GM & Company, MOIL and Petroafrica Tanzania.
For GM & Company, the election marks its first appearance on the association’s governing board, while MOIL and Petroafrica return after previously serving between 2020 and 2024.
The composition of the board reflects the diversity of TAOMAC membership, bringing together operators with interests across Tanzania’s major petroleum logistics hubs in Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara.
The board also balances multinational corporations, regional operators and indigenous Tanzanian companies, providing broader representation of industry interests.
Industry priorities ahead
The new leadership is expected to focus on several strategic issues affecting the petroleum sector.
Among the most pressing concerns are fuel pricing stability, infrastructure investment, supply chain efficiency, regulatory harmonisation and the continued enhancement of Tanzania’s fuel security framework.
The industry is also facing increasing pressure to modernise operations and improve environmental performance as global conversations around energy transition gain momentum.
While petroleum products will remain central to Tanzania’s economic growth for decades to come, companies are increasingly being called upon to invest in cleaner technologies, operational efficiency and sustainable business practices.
Analysts believe that TAOMAC’s ability to foster constructive dialogue between government authorities and private sector operators will be critical in maintaining a stable investment environment.
Looking ahead
The election of Mr. Baabde and his team comes as Tanzania continues to position itself as a regional energy hub, supported by major infrastructure investments, growing fuel demand and expanding industrial activity.
With petroleum consumption expected to rise alongside economic growth, the industry’s leadership will play a crucial role in ensuring that Tanzania maintains reliable energy supplies while supporting broader national development goals.
For TAOMAC, the next two years will likely be defined by how effectively the association balances industry competitiveness, regulatory compliance and long-term energy security in an increasingly complex global market. The decisions taken by the new board could therefore have implications not only for oil marketers, but for the wider Tanzanian economy that depends heavily on a stable and efficient fuel supply chain.
